Integrated seismic monitoring system and method

Abstract

An integrated seismic system and method for monitoring seismic parameters of a subsurface structure is provided. The integrated seismic system includes a base station; a plurality of mobile satellite nodes, each of the plurality of mobile satellite nodes having sensor stations for collecting seismic data from the subsurface structure; and a fiber optic cable extending from the base station to the plurality of mobile satellite nodes and operatively linking the plurality of mobile satellite nodes and the sensor stations; the base station comprising: a light source for sending a light through the fiber optic cable, the light being distributed to the sensor stations and, in the sensor stations, experiencing a change or phase shift related to a physical property being measured; and a seismic acquisition unit for receiving seismic signals from the plurality of mobile satellite nodes via the fiber optic cable and generating seismic parameters therefrom.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An integrated seismic system for monitoring seismic parameters of a subsurface structure, the integrated seismic system comprising:
 a base station;   a plurality of mobile satellite nodes, each of the plurality of mobile satellite nodes having sensor stations for collecting seismic data from the subsurface structure; and   a fiber optic cable extending from the base station to the plurality of mobile satellite nodes and operatively linking the plurality of mobile satellite nodes and the sensor stations;   the base station comprising:   a light source for sending a light through the fiber optic cable, the light being distributed to the sensor stations and, in the sensor stations, experiencing a change or phase shift related to a physical property being measured; and   a seismic acquisition unit for receiving seismic signals from the plurality of mobile satellite nodes via the fiber optic cable and generating seismic parameters therefrom.   
     
     
         2 . The integrated seismic system of  claim 1 , wherein the fiber optic cable comprises a plurality of fiber optic sections coupled together into a continuous fiber optic cable. 
     
     
         3 . The integrated seismic system of  claim 1 , wherein the seismic cable links the base station to the plurality of mobile satellite nodes in series. 
     
     
         4 . The integrated seismic system of  claim 1 , wherein the seismic acquisition unit comprises spread and optoelectronics. 
     
     
         5 . The integrated seismic system of  claim 1 , where the fiber optic cable links the plurality of mobile satellite nodes to the base station in one of a looped configuration, a linear configuration, a star configuration, a concentric ring configuration and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The integrated seismic system of  claim 1 , where each of the sensor stations is connected to the plurality of mobile satellite nodes by an array cable. 
     
     
         7 . The integrated seismic system of  claim 1 , wherein multiple array cables extend from each of the plurality of mobile satellite nodes, with each array cable having multiple sensor stations, wherein the fiber optic cable enters each satellite node from the base station and is split into the array cables. 
     
     
         8 . A base station of a seismic system for monitoring seismic parameters of a subsurface structure, the seismic system comprising a plurality of mobile satellite nodes each having sensor stations, the base station being configure to be connected to the plurality of mobile satellite nodes by a fiber optic cable, the base station comprising:
 a light source configured to send a light through the fiber optic cable, the light being distributed to the sensor stations and, in the sensor stations, experiencing a change or phase shift related to a physical property being measured; and   a seismic acquisition unit for receiving seismic signals from the plurality of mobile satellite nodes via the fiber optic cable and generating seismic parameters therefrom.   
     
     
         9 . The base station of  claim 8 , wherein the fiber optic cable comprises a plurality of fiber optic sections coupled together into a continuous fiber optic cable. 
     
     
         10 . The base station of  claim 8 , wherein the seismic acquisition unit comprises a source controller. 
     
     
         11 . The base station of  claim 8 , wherein the seismic acquisition unit comprises an acquisition management system. 
     
     
         12 . The base station of  claim 8 , wherein the seismic acquisition unit comprises spread and optoelectronics. 
     
     
         13 . The base station of  claim 8 , where the seismic cable links the plurality of mobile satellite nodes to the base station in one of a looped configuration, a linear configuration, a star configuration, a concentric ring configuration and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         14 . A mobile satellite node of a seismic system for monitoring seismic parameters of a subsurface structure, the seismic system comprising a plurality of such mobile satellite nodes and a base station, the mobile satellite node being connected to the base station via a fiber optic cable, the mobile satellite node comprising:
 sensor stations being operatively linked to the mobile satellite node by the fiber optic cable, and configured to receive a light from a light source at the base station, the light being distributed to the sensor stations and experiencing, in the sensor stations, a change or phase shift related to a physical property being measured.   
     
     
         15 . The mobile satellite node of  claim 14 , wherein the fiber optic cable comprises a plurality of fiber optic sections coupled together into a continuous fiber optic cable. 
     
     
         16 . The mobile satellite node of  claim 14 , wherein the seismic cable links the base station to the plurality of mobile satellite nodes in series. 
     
     
         17 . The mobile satellite node of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of mobile satellite nodes comprise a plurality of seismic trucks. 
     
     
         18 . The mobile satellite node of  claim 14 , where the seismic cable links the plurality of mobile satellite nodes to the base station in one of a looped configuration, a linear configuration, a star configuration, a concentric ring configuration and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The mobile satellite node of  claim 14 , where each of the sensor stations are connected to the plurality of mobile satellite nodes by an array cable. 
     
     
         20 . The mobile satellite node of  claim 14 , wherein each of the sensor stations comprises a radio frequency identification tag.